Tidbits of our trip...

There is no way to detail all the wonderful moments the girls and I had on our trip up north, we visited lots of wonderful people, and had lots of great memories, so I will give a list of tidbits for you to enjoy... (with a few visuals)

• It's a small world: Jeff, our new neighbor and dear friend, his parents run a B&B at the college that Jamie , my good friend from college's husband, attended for undergrad. They allowed the girls to stay there on the way up and the way down...Jeff's parents were very gracious and it was a perfect halfway point.

• We ate Chick-fil-a ummmmm I think 5-6 times, including the original one in Atlanta, GA. THEY SERVE BEEF THERE!!!! It is called the "Dwarf House".

• Brady got to play with Uncle Jason's iPad, and knew how to use it right away.

• Brady and Colton picked up right where they left off, Brady pushing Colton around in his car...And on a very sweet side note. In Colton's prayer, the night we were there he said "Thank you God for Brady come home"...tears

• Reese and Shelby got to finally play side by side upright ;) Yeah for Shelby standing! Reese loves to play with kids her same age.

• Ainsley and Brady do an excellent job at picking out hats for Shelby...

• Reese is  Caddy's girl!

• Reese and Brady love their horse and Radegy Ann doll they got from Uncle Joe, Beppa and GP.

• I had the opportunity to meet three new babies, all three VERY sweet and VERY gorgeous! Congrats to Tara and Melisa!!! However,  I did learn, as much as I want a third baby right now, Reese is very happy being the baby in the family ;) this our plans are to stick to being a family of four (for now).

I am so glad I was able to make this trip, I miss all my family and friends back in NC and VA. I wish that I could have spent more time with everyone, and gotten to visit with more people who I was unable to see. Hopefully I will be able to make another trip this year...who knows though, too much to think about,  I am still worn out from all that driving!!!!

Wordless Wednesday: When you have one set of hands, and two eager toddlers...

DEECO turns 20!

I recently traveled to NC for DEECO's 20th anniversary/birthday! For those of you who don't know, this is the business that my father started from scratch, back in 1990, after working in environmental industry for 20+ previous years.  The company does stack sampling. All five of us DeWees family members have worked for the company, my sister and I in the summers as teenagers, my brother for 17 years, my mom still does. So as you can tell, there is a lot invested into the company, and we are all very proud of this 20 year milestone. 

The company celebrated with a dinner for the employees at the Chop House by the RDU airport. The food there was WONDERFUL!!! My steak was so tender (I had to rush through it though, because I had a grumpy toddler). The best part of the place though was that is was next to an empty lot, which presented a backdrop for great pictures of the girls and me. 

 

 

 

 

[caption id="attachment_495" align="alignnone" width="717" caption="This picture was taken by Brady"][/caption]

Also, my sister, Daniel and I worked on a "birthday" cake for the celebration. We made the logo 3D of sorts. Andi really did most of the work, but we were there to support her. She is SO SO SO amazing what she can do with cakes, especially since this is just a hobby she has just picked up on her own and just reads on the internet how to do everything. 

 

Also, all the employees got bonuses and one lucky employee won $2000 towards a family vacation! So the company also gave "birthday" gifts to all the children in attendance as well. Here are the gifts that Reese and Brady received: 

[caption id="attachment_502" align="alignnone" width="717" caption="Elmo Live!"][/caption]

  

 

It was a nice evening to celebrate this significant milestone...CONGRATS DEECO!!!

Just to hold you over...

I have lots to tell you about my recent trip up to NC and VA. But I am still trying to settle back into FL. So here is a mini post to hold you over while I work on blogging all the details of my trip.

When you are in the back of the house, using the restroom and your kids are out and about playing, then you all of a sudden hear a male voice, don't be alarmed, like I was...



It is just your 16 month old figuring out how to turn on the TV so that she can watch a little bit of the Today show...thats all!

Taking a break...

I am going out of town, and thus the blog will be taking a break.  My father's business, DEECO Inc., is turning 20, so I am going up to celebrate!!! I will update you on all my fun adventures when I get home towards the end of this month. Check back in a couple of weeks...

I will leave you with something to ponder however. Last night, the jingle from oh like 15 years ago came to my head..."Who wears short shorts, dare to wear short shorts, nair to wear short shorts...". Thanks to my sister for giving me the last line. Karl and I were debating whether it was a panty hose commercial or a razor commercial and Andi settled the debate by filling the the third line...

Now, for the next week and a half, everytime a commercial jingle from the past comes up, post it and so all of us can get it stuck in our heads..."You run, you jump, you slide, you hit the bump and take a dive...." Remember that one? okay your turn!

My number one pet peeve...

is when people throw their cigarette butts out the windows or on the ground in general! I feel like the people think they aren't littering or something. It drives me absolutely insane when people do that. I think to myself, would that same person ball up paper and throw it out the window, because by the time they have thrown like 5 cigarette butts out the window, they might as well have thrown a full sheet of paper out the window.

My sister and I used to say in high school (yes, this has been my pet peeve for at least 10 years) that we wanted to clean up all butts and keep them in the our trunks. When we saw someone throw one out we would follow them to their house and then dump like 4 garbage bags full of butts in their yards. Needless to say, this was only a dream that we knew better than to fulfill.

But here is the thing about my pet peeve... it makes me dislike a smoker in general, whether or not I know if that person litters. I just assume when I see a smoker that they litter too. Therefore,  I have stereotyped smokers as litterers! Thus, I tend not to like smokers! Which is against my morals to be prejudice.  What a catch 22...

Aren't you glad I gave you a glimpse inside my head today ;)

"We are good sisters"

We recently have started letting Reese brush her teeth on her stool that Santa brought her. She loves standing next to her sister and being big girl. FYI: previously, we would brush her teeth in her room since we don't use paste, and she doesn't 'spit' yet.



Well, this morning when I had the girls' in there brushing their teeth, I was letting them both have their turns after I had taken my turn. I was singing one of my many made teethbrushing  jingles. But they both kept brushing and smile at each other's image in the mirror. That is when Brady looked at me and said "we are good sisters!"

Oh, how I love being the mother of these wonderful little girls! They make each and every day special!!!

Pensacola's 2010 Wiener Dog Race Champion is...

DEWY!!!!



Our neighbors, Jeff and Danielle, who also own two wiener dogs, told us this morning about the race that was just down the street from our houses.  Karl and I have always wanted to go to one of these but have always read about them in the newspaper after they happened. We were so excited to have the chance to go today!!!

[caption id="attachment_459" align="alignnone" width="717" caption="The girls eating "fruit on a stick" we got by donating to the Dachshund Rescue"][/caption]

There were three weight classes 1-9 pounds, 10-15 pounds, and 16+ pounds. Cricket, our neighbors puppy, raced in the feather weights. Dewy was in the welter weight group. Pace was our heavy weight. Cody, our neighbors other dog,  chose to be a cheerleader and steal hot dogs from unsuspecting 12-year-old girls instead.

Cricket and Pace, got confused and neither made more than 5 feet from the start line. But we are proud of them. Pace didn't like all the heat and this is where he choose to hang out while he waited for all of Dewy's races.



About 50-60 dogs, raced Dewy's weight class. And after a "trail round" with Pace, Karl and I brainstormed how to make Dewy get to the finish line. So Karl walked with me to the start line and squeaked the toy all the way as he took his position to catch Dewy at the other end. Dewy was bucking trying to get out of my arms to that toy. Dewy won his first heat, and got to race another heat among the wiener winners... and guess who won the second heat of wiener winners....DEWY...he is the CHAMPION!!!!

[caption id="attachment_463" align="alignnone" width="768" caption="Dewy at the finish line!!!"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_465" align="alignnone" width="768" caption="Brady wearing one of the prizes Dewy won!"][/caption]

 

[caption id="attachment_466" align="alignnone" width="768" caption="Reese holding another prize Dewy won, a reusable bag that stores in a strawberry pouch"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_462" align="alignnone" width="768" caption="Reese giving away hugs to Ms. Danielle"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_469" align="alignnone" width="768" caption="The board showing Dewy won the second heat!"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_467" align="alignnone" width="768" caption="A friend Reese made while pretending to nap on the grass"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_470" align="alignnone" width="768" caption="The Champion on his way home to get some R&R"][/caption]

Girlie Girls!

So my last four pedicures have been done so graciously by my eldest daughter. She hasn't gone to beauty school yet so she didn't learn to remove previous polish before applying the new coat. So you can imagine the beauty of my feet in the flip-flops I have been wearing in this gorgeous FL weather lately. Yes, she alternates between orange and blue. I will spare you a picture and let you stick to the visual in your head.

So, assuring my favorite pedicurist that she was not fired,  I decided to get a "professional" pedicure. ;) I kept thinking time would come up on the weekends, however,  I like spending time with my entire family and never took the time to myself. So, yesterday I decided that I would try to get a pedicure with my two girls in tow.

Oh boy, did we have the tiem of our lives! I am already looking forward to do it again. The place I went to (called Rusty &Co. Nails, HAHA...Rusty nails) had two pedicure chairs. So I sat in one and Brady in the other. Thus, Reese was in my lap. Reese said three words repeatedly.. "bath", "bubbles" and "toes".  Therefore, I put her bottom on the edge of the seat and let her toes dangle into my foot-tub. She thought it was great!

[caption id="attachment_444" align="alignnone" width="768" caption="hard to get a picture of us since I was holding her...."][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_445" align="alignnone" width="1024" caption="Reese's little toes"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_449" align="alignnone" width="768" caption="This was the other trick up my sleeve...FOOD!"][/caption]

As for keeping Brady happy, that was the easy part, since she is my girlie girl. The lady generously filled Brady's foot tub to entertain her so she could soak her feet while I did. Then when I had my feet wrapped in the warm moist towels she painted Brady's toes with the color of her choice....FOR FREE!!!!

[caption id="attachment_443" align="alignnone" width="768" caption="You can see the true happiness in her face in this picture!"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_446" align="alignnone" width="768" caption="This may be one of my favorite pictures of all time!!!!!"][/caption]



[caption id="attachment_448" align="alignnone" width="717" caption="Look at the toe inserts that they used! TOO CUTE!!!!"][/caption]

 

[caption id="attachment_450" align="alignnone" width="768" caption="Brady choose Pink...Pink like her shoes!"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_452" align="alignnone" width="717" caption="I couldn't resist getting my toes the same color as Brady!!!"][/caption]

As you can tell, we had a blast. I think I am bringing Brady back as a treat for her birthday in two months. However,  I guess I have to be careful not to create a beauty diva!!!

On a side note: All the hair stylists in the place went crazy as soon as I walked in with two curlied headed blonde cuties. One lady kept coming back into the pedicure room and playing with Brady's hair and re adjusting her clip and made her clients come back and look at her. The funniest part was in the 3 chairs (for hair) 2 people were getting perms!

Wordless Wednesday: Why did the Easter Bunny hide rotten eggs?

Strumming and Strolling

I thought you all would enjoy Reese and Brady's latest daily "night time" activity before their real "night time" routine starts. Again, this is nothing that we ask them to do, it is always prompted by them, but lately they have been asking to do it every night.

Reese always walks over to our Band Hero set for the Wii and signs and says "please." She will say please over and over until we sit her in a chair and place a guitar in her lap. The interesting thing about it is she has paid a lot attention to Daddy doing it, because she does press the colored buttons and strums the guitar. She loves this time with Daddy.



Brady now asks every night to take her Bitty Baby on a stroller walk around the neighborhood. I enjoy these evening strolls with her, and she always chooses the way to go. Usually they last about 30 minutes. If a car is coming she rushes to the grass and then quickly instructs me to get in the grass too. We really enjoy our time together.

"Take it to the bank"

Ever since we opened a savings account for the girls in January, Brady will point out the building as we drive by and say, "That's the bank, that's where my pennies are." The girls recently received a twenty dollar bill each from Grandma for Easter. So I decided to take them back to the bank so they could have the experience of depositing the money into their account. So both girls picked out a purse...



Then we headed off the to bank. They were so proud of themselves and their purses as they were walking into the bank. Reese kept holding her purse up for everyone to see and Brady kept sticking her hand inside to make sure her money was still there. (Very fitting of their personalities).



They did a great job waiting in line for their turn. I also gave them their member access card that they had to keep up with in their purse. I believe they enjoyed the responsiblity.



After depositing the money, Brady and Reese eagerly anticipated getting to have hand sanitizer. Yes,  I turned the teller's lollipops, but let Brady further her OCD tendencies by getting hand sanitizer!

The bank trip was lots of fun...I love it when fun comes from learning!

Bradyisms: Chapter 3

• 3/17/10: I was explaining to Brady that Mrs. Danielle was coming to our house since Mr. Jeff was out of town. Brady being the observant one, knew his truck was still in the driveway next  door. So she asked me "Did Mr. Jeff walk to town?"


• 3/23/10: We went to go see Cricket and Cody again today and Cody didn't have his collar on like he normally does. Brady asked me "Where is Cody's underwear?"


• 4/1/10: Brady politely asking for something over and over. It was one of those moments, I just couldn't place the word due to context. "I want ______ Bitty Baby". Well when I was finally able to put it all together she was asking for the video monitor to she her baby doll, Bitty Baby, whom was 'napping' in her bedroom with the door closed and the music on.


• 4/1/10: Brady-"What are you doing Mommy?" Me-"I am giving Reese medicine since she is breaking new teeth." Brady-"My teeth are broken,  I need medicine too!"

20 facts about the Orthners

Remember these are all dictated by  me (Christy)...

Karl:

1. Looks amazing in his new glasses, yes, I posted on this earlier, but I still can't get over it!

2. Currently coaches the softball team for his work.

3. Is an amazing husband and father, the more I am around other families and meet new people I realize that we really do have something special (and just so you know I am not saying this for brownie points, Karl doesn't read the blog).

4. loves the show "Big Bang Theory".

5. drinks a tall glass of chocolate milk every single day.

Christy:

6. loves to eat. Especially eating out!

7. thinks being a mother is best feeling in the world. Especially those hugs where their heads are nestled into my neck!

8. used to be able to function on no sleep at all...now I get an average of 9 hours of sleep a night.

9.  wishes I could travel more than I do. But doesn't mind the sacrifice since I get to be a stay at home mom.

10. I had the hardest time coming up with facts about myself. I love bragging about my family more!

Brady:

11. Still sucks her thumb.

12. Has the most compassion for other children I have ever seen in a 2-year-old.

13. Loves sticker books.

14. Enjoys people watching and discussing what those people might be doing.

15. Has only watched one movie ( Monsters Inc.)  in her life,  but she was watched it at least 8 times.

Reese:

16. Says please all the time, so much so I don't know what she is asking for. And says her own name but it comes out "Ice".

17. Says the name Elmo, Ernie, Abby, Cookie but she doesn't get to watch TV.

18. Is able to have conversations with Brady. Yesterday they had a 3 part exchange. It went like this:

Brady: You need to finish all your milk before you play. Reese: Grabs her milk and says "ilk" Brady: Do you play inside or outside? Reese: Looks outside and says "side" Reese: "dog" Brady: Reese, the dogs aren't outside right now, they are sleeping.

(I didn't translate for either of them for the entire exchange!)

19. is slowly turning into a Daddy's girl, when Karl gets home, she runs to him saying "dada dada dada" reaching up!

20. wears the same size clothes as her sister that is 18 months older than her!

How many of these facts did you already know?